Iran 1979 - The fire last time PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 15 June 2006 00:00
The Middle East has long been a playground for foreign imperialism, from the British occupation of Palestine, Syria and Iraq in 1917 to Bushs wars and occupations in the present. But when the masses intervene, imperialist ventures can be quickly stricken from the map. The victory of the revolution in Iran in February 1979 was the outcome of years of struggle by workers, peasants, women and national minorities against the repressive regime of the Shah. These struggles ranged from peaceful demonstrations to armed confrontations, from sit-ins to sabotage, from small gatherings to mass demonstrations of millions. In the end the oil workers strike in 1978, and the general strike that followed it, played the crucial role in bringing the Shah's regime to its end.

It is, however, one thing for a popular revolution to smash a hated and oppressive regime, and quite another for the popular movement to succeed in creating a new political and social system conforming to its needs. Tragically, the eventual outcome of the Iranian Revolution was the imposition on the population of a new form of repression, now flying the flag of the 'Islamic Republic'.

In this meeting we will be discussing the Iranian Revolution and the nature of the regime that emerged from it. We think it is especially important to do so as Bush continues to threaten Iran with possible military attack.